Breathing apparatus



8- 23, 1932- H. v. STURTEVANT BREATHING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 8. 1929 gwuantoz /7f K S/u "fe 1 4/726.

dumm

Patented Aug. 23, 1932 UNirEo STATES PATENT oFF c HAROLD V. STURTEVAINT, OF SCRANT ON, PENNSYLVANIA V BREATHING ArrARA'rUs This invention relates to improvements in respiratory apparatus and more particularly to breathing apparatus'which shall facilitate breathing in an atmosphere where excessive fidust, and dangerous or noxious gases are present. 7

V The present invention contemplates a breathing apparatus particularly adapted for use by miners and other persons requirld fing an apparatus which shall permit the user long tubes which frequently become entan-,

gled and cause considerable annoyance to j the workman.

The object of this invention is to provide a uniting respiratory apparatus comprising a valve controlled air chamber and filter receptacle which shall be supported entirely by the mouth of the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a respiratory apparatus of the character designated having nostril engaging tubes which shall be adjustable to comfortably engage the walls of the nostrils when the apparatus is in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a respiratory apparatus of the character designated. which shall be simple 1n construction, light in weight, and more efficient in operation than similar apparatus heretofore employed.

These and other objects of the invention will be more manifest from the following specification and description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and specifically set forth in the claims.

' In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of'a respirator embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of therespirator shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a portion of the oval shape nostril tube;

Application filed February 8, 1929. Serial N'o. 338,527.

Fig. his a fragmentary view showing an enlarged section of the nostril tube and Fig. 6 is asimilar'view on the minor axis ofFig. &. i I 7 Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the draw-f ing there is shown a breathing apparatus embodying improvements constructed in accordance with the present invention. The breathing apparatus showncomprises a substantially cylindrical air chamber 10 of light metallic material which istapered at oneend to forma mouth portion 11. This mouth portion is covered with a removable mouth en gaging member 12 which is made of any suitable yieldable material such as rubber. The

mouth piece is provided with an outwardly projecting oblong flange 13 adapted to form a wall which shall extend between the lips and teeth and thereby effectively seal the mouth against the ingress of any air around the mouth piece and serve to assist in supporting the apparatus when in use. The mouth piece and its associated'fiange is proportioned so that it shall comfortably fit the mouth and be securely graspedbetween' the teeth- The. entire breathing apparatusis supportedby the mouth withoutthe aid ofany other head straps or bandage heretofore employed for such apparatus. 1 l

The chamber 10 is provided with air inlet and discharged valves 14 and'15. The inlet valve ltis locatedrwithin the chamber 12 so as to form a saliva reservoir as set forth in my 'copending applicationserial No. 296,681 filed August 1, 1928, The opposite end of the chamber is closed by a cap 16 provided with a saliva drain valve 17 which maybe i manually operated to drain the chamber. when excess saliva shall accumulate. In the present embodimentof the invention a filter bag 18 is attached directly to the chamber by mouth piece, when the apparatus is inuse. P

The chamber 10 is also provided with two tubi'ilar lostril'members 20'and 21 constructed and arranged in accordance with the presnostrils.

its wall folded so as to provide an inflatable annular portionu23 at the inner extremity thereof adapted to engage the nostrils. The

walls of this annular portion are -mad-eoflight rubber so as to be readily yieldable and comfortably fit the nostrils when" the walls are inflated- The flexible tubes-21 and 22 are connected to chamber 10 by' nipples, 20 and .21- which permit the length of thetubes to be changed so as to provide for diife'rencesin ,facial, dimensions of the persoir. Tli'einner extremities of the nostril members are pro v ded with light metalllc annular forming members 23 which serve tostiffen thatpors.

tion of the members engagingthe walls oft-he The inflated ringis supplied with air from asource of supply'indi'cated by bulb 25connected-with a branch 24, which extends into the-nostril members-and then connects with theannular space 23 through the insidewall thereof. Thls arrangement removes all .connections and attachments fromthe vicinity'of the nostrils so that the vapparatus. may,be

worn with greater ease and comfort. supplyis maintained at a desired constant and uniform pressure by; an adjustingdevice 26jconveniently located on thewalls ofthe chamber 10. The supply bulb. is secured in; position bya screw clamp 26"which may be conveniently adjustedwhen the respiratorlis 1 positioned for use so as .to .eXertany desired air pressure on; the inflatable portion and thus vary the size thereof to comfortably engage the nostril walls and effectively seal the nostrils against the ingress of any air.

A respirator embodying the improvements herein. described provides a breathmg apparatuswhich effectively seals the mouthiand nostrils from the ingress of any outside air,

. except that whichpasses throughthe apparatus. By providing nostril'members having inflatable walls, the size of the members may beadjusted tofit any size.nostril,'so'that the apparatus may be worn with the maximum amount of ease and comfort.

Another important feature of the improved respirator'is that the filter receptacle is car ried directly by the mouth piece. This ar rangement obviates the necessity of long and cumbersomeitubes for connecting them'outh piece with? the filter receptacle twhich is 'fre quently attached-tothe back-of the person. The presence of the tubes is-frequently ja sourceof great annoyance to the wearer,- par- .ticularly to a workmansuch as a-miner, who,

The air;

is required to work in precarious places and under unfavorable posltions about the mine. While there is shown and descrlbed a pre-.

ferred embodiment of the invention, itJis obvious that various changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

hat is claimed is: 1. A respiratorcomprising a horizontally disposed cylindrical air chamber having a reduced end portion adapted to form a mouth p ece, valye controlled air inlet and dlscharge passages in the chamber, nostril tubes connected 'to said chamber, inflatable members surrounding the extremity of said nostrilmembersand manually operated means mounted on the mouth piece for inflating said members to fit the nasal passages of the nostrils. r

2. In a respirator, a horizontally disposed air chamber having a reduced end portion.

adapted to form a mouth portion, a mouth piece removably connected to said mouth,

members located in said chamber, a'filt'e'r receptacle connected to said inlet valve and supported by thechamber, nostril tubes yieldably connected to said chamber, said tubes having inflatable endwallportions and manually operated means mounted, on the mouth piece for inflating said end wall portions to change the size thereof to fit the nostrils when the respirator is held in position by the mouth .piece.

In testimony whereofl affix my signature.

HAROLD V. STURTEVANT.

. portionand adapted toform a'supportfor the respirator, air inlet and discharge-valve 

